A documentary opening in theaters this week uses forensic research to argue that an 1844 daguerreotype depicts Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the film examines technical evidence and historical documentation that researchers say proves the image's authenticity.

The question of whether any verified photographs of Smith exist has been debated by historians and collectors for generations. The daguerreotype in question has been known to some researchers for years, but its provenance and authenticity have remained contested. The new film compiles what its creators describe as definitive proof.

The documentary's research team includes scholars affiliated with BYU-Idaho and private collectors. Their analysis examines the daguerreotype's physical characteristics, the timeline of early photography technology, and historical records from Smith's final weeks before his 1844 death in Carthage, Illinois.